Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0242379 (lung cancer)
 71,905 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

The nucleoside analogue Gemcitabine [2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (dFdCyd)] is active against a wide variety of solid tumors and is a potent radiation sensitizer. Because apoptosis has been shown to be an important mechanism of cell death for many cancers, we wished to investigate the role of apoptosis in dFdCyd-mediated radiosensitization. We evaluated HT29 colon cancer cells, UMSCC-6 head and neck cancer cells, and A549 lung cancer cells, which differ substantially in the ability to undergo radiation-induced apoptosis. We hypothesized that if dFdCyd produced radiosensitization by potentiating preexisting death pathways, then only the apoptotic-prone HT29 cells would show a substantial increase in apoptosis when treated with the combination of dFdCyd and radiation and that UMSCC-6 cells and A549 cells would be radiosensitized through nonapoptotic mechanisms. We found that the radiosensitization of HT29 cells (enhancement ratio, 1.81 +/- 0.16) was accompanied by an increase in apoptosis and by caspase activation and that inhibition of this activation by the caspase inhibitor Z-Asp-Glu-Val-Asp-fluoromethylketone (DEVD) significantly decreased radiosensitization (to 1.36 +/- 0.24; P < 0.05). In contrast, UMSCC-6 cells and A549 cells were modestly radiosensitized (enhancement ratio, 1.47 +/- 0.24 and 1.31 +/- 0.04, respectively) via a nonapoptotic mechanism. These findings suggest that although apoptosis can contribute significantly to dFdCyd-mediated radiosensitization, the role of apoptosis in dFdCyd-mediated radiosensitization depends on the cell line rather than representing a general property of the drug.
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PMID:The role of apoptosis in 2',2'-difluoro-2'-deoxycytidine (gemcitabine)-mediated radiosensitization. 1123 72

Over the past 20 years, the treatment of lung cancer has improved significantly: platinum-based chemotherapy represents the standard treatment in locally advanced and metastatic non-small cell lung cancer disease because of its impact on survival and quality of life. Adjuvant and neoadjuvant chemotherapy may also play an important role in the betterment of the outcome of earlier stages of disease. New drugs have become part of the therapeutic armamentarium in the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Gemcitabine, taxanes, irinotecan, and vinorelbine have been shown, alone or in combination with platinum derivatives, to interfere with the natural history of disease. As far as small cell lung cancer is concerned, the combination of chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) and radiation therapy has yielded long term survivals in excess of 20%. The role of non-platinum combinations, particularly in the elderly and in patients with poor performance status as well as salvage therapy in patients relapsed after platinum treatment, will be the object of ongoing and future studies. Also the significance of newer agents, such as anti-angiogenesis factors and growth factor receptor inhibitors, used either alone or in combination with standard cytotoxic regimens, will have to be evaluated.
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PMID:[Medical treatment of pulmonary neoplasms]. 1129 6

Gemcitabine (Gemzar) and irinotecan (CPT-11, Camptosar) are active cytotoxic drugs against pancreatic cancer. Preclinical data evaluating the combination of gemcitabine and irinotecan suggest dose-dependent synergistic interactions in SCOG small-cell lung cancer and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. Two phase I trials of this combination have been reported to date: the day 1 and 8 every-3-week schedule (IrinoGem trial), and the day 1, 8, and 15 every-4-week schedule (MSKCC trial). Both trials aimed to determine the maximum tolerated dose of irinotecan when administered as a 90-minute i.v. infusion either immediately after (IrinoGem) or before or immediately after (MSKCC) gemcitabine at 1,000 mg/m2 by 30-minute i.v. infusion in patients with solid tumors. The achieved maximum tolerated dose of IrinoGem has a higher dose intensity of irinotecan (100 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8, every-3-week cycle) compared with the MSKCC schedule (60 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, and 15, every-4-week trial). In IrinoGem, two of three previously untreated metastatic pancreas cancer patients had durable radiologic partial responses. The third had stable disease with clinical benefit for eight cycles. In addition, a patient with metastatic adenocarcinoma of unknown primary--potentially pancreatic--has had a durable response and is alive more than 30 months after the diagnosis. Preliminary results of a 45-patient multicenter phase II trial with IrinoGem in advanced and metastatic pancreas cancer were recently reported. Toxicity was modest, with no toxic deaths or neutropenic fever. Radiologic response rate was 20% of patients (9 out of 45), and a CA 19-9 decrease of more than 50% from baseline values occurred in 32.5% of patients (13 out of 40). Median survival was 6 months (range: 0.9 to 12.2+ months) and median time to treatment failure was 2.9 months (range: 0.1 to 11.3+ months). A pivotal international multicenter phase III trial comparing IrinoGem to single-agent gemcitabine in advanced and metastatic pancreas cancer is ongoing.
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PMID:Irinotecan/gemcitabine combination chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer. 1130 41

Gemcitabine (Gemzar), paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere), and vinorelbine (Navelbine) are among the most active agents for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and are generally more active than platinum compounds. When combined with a platinum compound, these agents have produced the best survival outcomes seen to date in non-small-cell lung cancer. More than 100 clinical trials have defined and expanded the role of gemcitabine, which has been combined with each of these agents to create novel combinations. Several new nonplatinum-based combinations compare favorably with platinum-based combinations with respect to toxicity and efficacy. Moreover, changing the schedule of gemcitabine administration from days 1, 8, 15 every 4 weeks to days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks seems to allow greater dose intensity with less severe toxicity and slightly greater efficacy. Coadministration of docetaxel, paclitaxel, or vinorelbine with gemcitabine on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks is a promising approach. In addition to a lower incidence of severe neutropenia, docetaxel, paclitaxel, and vinorelbine protect against gemcitabine-associated thrombocytopenia.
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PMID:Gemcitabine and nonplatinum combinations in non-small-cell lung cancer. 1130 44

Gemcitabine (Gemzar) has demonstrated activity in a broad range of solid tumors with good tolerance. In combined-modality therapy, gemcitabine has achieved response rates ranging between 30% and 60% in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Initial trials of gemcitabine and radiation showed that the fields and volume of radiation as well as the dose of gemcitabine should be managed carefully so as to optimize the radiosensitizing properties of this agent. The Cancer and Leukemia Group B conducted a phase III trial in patients with unresectable stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. A total of 187 patients were randomized to one of three cisplatin (Platinol)-based combinations (with gemcitabine, paclitaxel [Taxol], or vinorelbine [Navelbine]) as induction therapy followed by concomitant chemoradiation. At a median follow-up of 9 months, the median survival for all patients was 18 months and the median progression-free survival was 10 months. The trial demonstrated that the combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin could be administered successfully as induction therapy without affecting concurrent administration of gemcitabine/cisplatin with radiation.
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PMID:Optimizing chemoradiation in locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. 1130 48

One of the main reasons for the increased acceptance of chemotherapy for both early and advanced non-small-cell lung cancer is the clinical availability of several new cytotoxic drugs. These less toxic, yet highly effective, new drugs not only benefit younger patients, but also offer new treatment opportunities for the elderly; advanced age alone should not preclude appropriate cytotoxic therapy. Vinorelbine (Navelbine) was the first new agent tested in randomized trials with elderly patients having advanced non-small-cell lung cancer. Results proved that vinorelbine does indeed have a survival advantage over best supportive care for these patients. Gemcitabine (Gemzar) is probably the most effective cytotoxic agent in the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer today, showing high antitumor activity as a single agent and in combination. Moreover, it has a favorable toxicity profile. Since it can be effectively used for the palliation of tumor-related symptoms and can thus positively influence performance status, gemcitabine may be of great clinical importance in the treatment of elderly and unfit patients. Docetaxel (Taxotere) has recently become the first agent to be registered for second-line chemotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer. This decision was based on survival advantages and clinical benefit data stemming from two randomized phase III studies. Nonetheless, chemotherapy for elderly patients continues to be a major unresolved oncologic problem. Clinical research with the new cytotoxic agents should be intensified to further define the most appropriate use for these drugs as single agents or in combination for the treatment of elderly patients.
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PMID:Treatment of elderly patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. 1130 49

Exposure of lung cancer cells to gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) arrests cells in S phase and induces secondary apoptotic cell death. Gemcitabine treatment decreased the expression of IkappaB-alpha protein and, concomitantly, increased the activity of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) transcription factor, a known inhibitor of the apoptotic response. This increase was accompanied by a similar increment in the expression of inhibitor of apoptosis-1 (IAP-1) protein and mRNA, a caspase inhibitor responsive to NF-kappaB. These changes were important to the final destiny of the cells, since overexpression of a dominant negative version of IkappaB-alpha, which suppresses NF-kappaB activation, blocks the increase of IAP-1 protein and potentiates the action of gemcitabine. Additionally, overexpression of IAP-1 protein in A549 cells expressing the IkappaB-alpha mutant restored the initial sensitivity to gemcitabine and demonstrated that this protein was responsible for the inhibitory effect of NF-kappaB. These results support the notion of IAP-1 as an important antiapoptotic protein mediating sensitivity to deoxynucleotides analogs in non-small-cell lung cancer cells.
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PMID:Inhibitor of apoptosis-1 (IAP-1) expression and apoptosis in non-small-cell lung cancer cells exposed to gemcitabine. 1137 92

Small cell lung cancer is a chemosensitive disease; however, patients with extensive-stage disease or adverse prognostic factors are rarely cured. Gemcitabine (Gemzar; Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, IN), a new agent with good tolerability, interacts synergistically with platinum agents. Carboplatin is as effective as cisplatin, but is less toxic. The London Lung Cancer Group is conducting a multicenter, open-label, randomized, phase III trial in patients with histologically or cytologically proven small cell lung cancer and extensive-stage, limited-stage but locally-advanced, or limited-stage disease with poor prognostic factors. Chemotherapy consists of 21-day cycles of gemcitabine 1,200 mg/m(2) intravenous (IV) on days 1 and 8, plus carboplatin area under the curve of 5 IV on day 1, or cisplatin 60 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 plus etoposide 120 mg/m(2) IV on day 1 and 100 mg orally on days 2 and 3. Thirty-nine patients have been randomized to gemcitabine/carboplatin and 38 to cisplatin/etoposide (23 and 22 completed treatment, with 96 and 84 cycles, respectively). Preliminary toxicity data indicate hematologic toxicity in 25% of cycles for gemcitabine/carboplatin and 16% for cisplatin/etoposide, although cisplatin/etoposide-treated patients experienced significant alopecia, nephrotoxicity, nausea and vomiting, and neutropenia. This London Lung Cancer Group trial of gemcitabine/carboplatin may define an active, safe, and acceptable treatment for patients with extensive-stage and poor-prognosis small cell lung cancer. Semin Oncol 28 (suppl 10):15-18.
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PMID:Gemcitabine/carboplatin versus cisplatin/etoposide for patients with poor-prognosis small cell lung cancer: a phase III randomized trial with quality-of-life evaluation. 1151 29

Gemcitabine (2',2'-difluorodeoxycytidine) is a nucleoside analog with antitumor activity against a variety of malignancies. The critical enzyme cytidine kinase is saturated at plasma concentrations achieved after a 30-min infusion at conventional doses. Prolonged infusion time may yield higher intracellular dFdCTP concentrations. A phase I study was designed to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of gemcitabine, given by infusion for 3 h, in heavily pretreated patients. Twenty-seven patients (13 head and neck cancer, seven sarcoma, three esophageal cancer, three non-small-cell lung cancer and one ovarian cancer) were enrolled. Twenty patients were defined as refractory at first- or second-line chemotherapy. Four different entry dose levels (300, 400, 450 and 500 mg/m(2)) were evaluated for gemcitabine administered on days 1, 8 and 15 of a 28-day cycle. The MTD was defined as 450 mg/m(2), with granulocytopenia, thrombocytopenia and asthenia being dose limiting. The maximum grade III/IV patient toxicities for hemoglobin, leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets for all doses were 7, 19, 19 and 11%, respectively. Non-hematological toxicities included asthenia, nausea/vomiting and diarrhea. Thus, gemcitabine administered at a fixed 3-h infusion was well tolerated up to 450 mg/m(2) in heavily pretreated patients. Myelosupression and asthenia were dose-limiting toxicities.
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PMID:Phase I trial of weekly gemcitabine at 3-h infusion in refractory, heavily pretreated advanced solid tumors. 1159 51

The necessity of improving the long-term survival of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) points out on the one hand the limit of surgery alone and, on the other hand, the need of combined modality therapy, in which the role of chemotherapy to control distant metastases is prominent. Recent experiences support the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy. Phase II studies show response rates of 50-80% and median survival longer than 2 years. Phase III studies suggest that neoadjuvant chemotherapy improves survival and objective responses, and induces higher percentages of complete resections compared with surgery alone or chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen has proved its efficacy in NSCLC advanced disease with response rate greater than 40% in phase II and III trials. Representing one of the regimens most used in Europe, its activity has been investigated also in the neoadjuvant setting. Phase II studies have reported an average response rate greater than 60%, complete surgical resections in 60-70% of the cases, and 1-year survival of about 60%. A modern tendency is to use neoadjuvant chemotherapy in very early stages of NSCLC. Gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen has been used as a randomised clinical trial (chemotherapy for early stages trial, CHEST) to compare the efficacy of surgery alone versus surgery plus preoperative chemotherapy in early-stage disease (T2-3N0, T1-2N1, T3N1), and to evaluate the progression free survival.
Lung Cancer 2001 Dec
PMID:Induction chemotherapy with gemcitabine and cisplatin in stage III non-small cell lung cancer. 1174 99


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